An historic resolution that enhanced the Palestinians’position at the UN from “permanent observer” to “non-member observer state”, a status also held by the Vatican, passed the General Assembly by a resounding 138 votes to 9, with 41 countries abstaining, including Britain.

Five nations did not register a vote. The no votes wereUS, Israel, Canada, Czech Republic, Palau, Panama, Nauru, Mirconesia and Marshall Islands.

After the vote, celebrations erupted across Ramallah and Jerusalem, with hundreds waving Palestinian flags and chanting “God is great”.

The vote will not immediately end the Palestinians’ six-decade wait for independence and will not give them a vote at the UN. But it will enable them to join the International Criminal Court and potentially prosecute Israelis for war crimes and seek rulings on territorial disputes at the International Court of Justice.

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Palestinians Celebrate Statehood Recognition